De voedvrouw met het vrouwelijk personeel en alle (12) op dit oogenblik in het H.B.I. verzorgde moederlooze kinderen. 1929

This photograph, taken at the Hospitaal Batak Instituut in Kaban Djahe, Sumatra on October 16, 1929, depicts the midwife with the female staff and the twelve orphaned children cared for at the hospital. In the image, a group of Indonesian women are shown holding and caring for infants. This image speaks to the intersection of colonial medicine and local care practices in early 20th-century Indonesia. During this time, Dutch colonial rule significantly influenced healthcare systems, often intertwining Western medical practices with local traditions. The photograph highlights the essential role of Indonesian women in healthcare, positioning them as central figures in childcare, while at the same time representing the consequences of colonial disruption on family structures. It suggests an emotional narrative of care and resilience. The personal dedication of these women becomes a poignant reminder of the human aspect of care amidst broader historical forces.